Many of us may not have heard about Uddhava Gita. It is also called as the final sermons of Lord Krishna before he departed for His heavenly abode. Krishna says that he has completed his goal during this incarnation and that he is wanted back in His place. During his final moments Krishna gives advice to his devotee Uddhava. One can call it as an advanced version of Bhagavad Gita. Uddhava Gita also forms a part of Srimad Bhagavata. The emphasis of Uddhava Gita is more on self realisation and surrender to God. Uddhava Gita begins with a scene in Dwaraka. All the Gods headed by Indra come to Dwarka. They pray to Krishna to return back to His supreme abode. He asks the elderly persons surrounding him to leave Dwaraka on a pilgrimage. Uddhava also wants to go with Krishna. Krishna did not agree with Uddhava and here Krishna’s teachings begin. Since His teachings are addressed to Uddhava, it is called Uddhava Gita.

Krishna says that once he leaves the earth, the earth will suffer from evil effects of Kali Yug or Dark Age. He further says that one has to turn his indriyams or sense organs inwardly and fix his mind on Krishna. Once Krishna is identified inwardly, that person is called a realised person. Krishna emphasizes the importance of realisation that can be obtained through the teachings of a perfect Guru. He goes further in differentiating a man and a yogi and says that yogi eats to live and an ordinary man lives to eat. He compares a yogi with that of the ether or akash which remains unaffected by the effects of other four elements. He also says that a yogi can remove the sins committed by an ordinary person, if that person is a genuine seeker of God. He says that a family man with uncontrolled senses ultimately gets only grief. He goes on describing the qualities of a yogi and says that men should not save for future. Unless food is controlled, sense organs cannot be controlled says Krishna. He says that a child and a self realised person alone enjoy the Supreme bliss. He describes His Godly form as the Supreme Lord, a mass of transcendent knowledge and bliss, the Absolute and without attributes. He says that one’s own body is the best teacher. For the sustenance of the body alone, sense organs are used. After many births one gets a human body. One should utilize this opportunity of getting a human form and aim at liberation.

Krishna says that maya is the product of gunas (satwa, rajas and tamas), that prevents knowing the Brahman or Atman. One stays in heaven till the result of his good deeds is exhausted. He again takes birth and the cycle goes on. He further says that knowledge and ignorance are His powers. One can any one of these from Him. Knowledge leads to liberation and ignorance to rebirths. He also prohibits the usage of “I” and “my”. He proceeds to teach the ways and means for detachment. The gopikas realised the Brahman due to their holy association with Him, thus emphasizing one’s association. He then proceeds to describe the Kundalini shakthi and the powers derived from such practice. In the superior form spirituality satwa guna destroys the other two gunas viz. rajas and tamas and paves way for realisation. Krishna says that mind and senses can lead to a wrong interpretation of Brahman. He then talks about the three stages viz. awake, dream and deep sleep. He explains how the sense organs are gradually withdrawn from the awake stage to the deep sleep stage. By destroying one’s ego and doubts about Brahman if one concentrates on Krishna, he will be liberated. (To be continued)

Further Readings:

Formation of UniVerse - Uddhava Gita

Duality An Illusion - Uddhava Gita